Tony Stewart: Danica Patrick is one of the most fearless people I've ever met

In her six years and 180 starts to date, Patrick has zero wins, zero top-five finishes, seven top-10s and just one pole. That, after a seven-year career in the IndyCar Series that saw her win a race and more important, finish in the top 10 in the season points championship her final six years in the series.

On Tuesday, Patrick announced that she won't be back with Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. It's too early to say that her NASCAR Cup career is over, as the rumor mill has been curiously quiet on that front today.

Her boss at Stewart-Haas Racing, Tony Stewart, knows what it's like to make the move from IndyCar to NASCAR. Stewart is one of the few to make it work. A sure-fire first-ballot NASCAR Hall-of-Famer, Stewart won 49 races and three championships.

On Wednesday, Stewart commented on Patrick's announcement on his Facebook page:

“I’ve always been a believer in Danica’s ability as a racecar driver and that continues to be the case. She’s one of the most fearless people I’ve ever met. She has never backed down from a challenge. In fact, she’s sought out new challenges throughout her career, and that’s what brought her to NASCAR and Stewart-Haas Racing.

“Making the jump from INDYCAR to NASCAR is not easy, yet she had the courage to do so and put up better numbers than a lot of other drivers who have tried to make that same transition. I’m proud of how hard Danica has worked during her time at Stewart-Haas Racing, and she continues to work hard.

“My support for Danica is unwavering. We’re going to end this season strong and make the most of these last 10 races.”

Mike Pryson
- Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and M-Live Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek as online motorsports editor In 2012. Promoted to motorsports editor in 2015.
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